Hospital launches new volunteering scheme

This week, Scarborough and Bridlington Hospitals have launched a new volunteering scheme to make sure that older patients get as much help as possible during mealtimes.

Launched during Nutrition and Hydration Week staff and members of the public will be given the opportunity to sign up to the scheme by registering their interest at a Nutrition and Hydration Awareness Stand which will be situated outside the hospital restaurant over lunchtime for the duration of the week.

As well as signing up to the scheme staff will also be able to find out more about the work the Trust is doing to improve nutrition and hydration.

'A taste of patient safety' has been organised by the National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) and Patient Safety First.

Poor nutrition and hydration leads to poor health and increased and prolonged hospital admissions. The consequences of poor nutrition and hydration include increased risk of infection, poor skin integrity and delayed wound healing, decreased muscle strength, depression and, sadly, premature death.

Helen Noble, Patient Safety and Clinical Governance Manager, explained: “We are delighted to be introducing a dining companion scheme. Dining companions go on to wards at mealtimes to help staff serve older patients their food, gently encouraging patients to eat and helping make meal times more sociable.

"We have already been doing a lot of work in this area however the volunteers will help play a key part in helping us to make continued improvements and will make a positive difference to the experience of both our patients and staff."

Rebecca Aspin, Communication and Media Officer, is one staff member who has already signed up to take part. She said: "I thought that this would be a great chance to get out of the office and onto to the wards to meet and talk to patients.

"When you are in hospital food and drink is vital medicine and mealtimes are often the main focus of your day. By helping staff serve patients and sitting with them whilst they eat, I can help make sure that patients have everything that they need to enjoy their meal."

Full training will be provided. If you are interested in registering to take part in the Dining Companion Scheme please fill in a registration form, available from the stand, Trust Website or by contacting Helen Noble, Patient Safety and Clinical Governance Manager on 01723 342341 or helen.noble@acute.sney.nhs.uk

The link to the form on the Trust’s website is http://www.scarborough.nhs.uk/controlpanel/shoppics/pdfs/DiningCompanionSchemePublic.doc

For further information contact Rebecca Aspin, Media and Communications Officer, on 01723 342516 or

 

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Hospital launches new booking system

Scarborough and North East Yorkshire Healthcare NHS Trust is introducing a new booking system for outpatients' appointments. The system goes live on 2 April, with preparations commencing on Monday 23 January 2012.

The new system called ‘Partial Booking’ will give patients who need a follow up appointment the ability to choose appointments which suit them, meaning that, in most cases, patients will be seen quicker. The system will also help the Trust to organise its clinics more effectively reducing the number of cancellations and non-attendance.

Sarah Piper, Head of Operational Efficiency, explained: "Each month we have on average 3500 new patient appointments and 8700 follow up appointments – out of all these appointments 58% are rescheduled.

"A move to this new booking system will greatly improve the patient administration pathway and patient experience.

"Currently patients are given a follow-up appointment when they leave clinic, this can be for three months or up to a year’s time. Realistically it is hard for us to guarantee this appointment without knowing the commitments of the consultant, medical team and patient, which results in a large number of rescheduled, cancelled or forgotten appointments."

With the introduction of partial booking, patients are added to a waiting list and we will write to them four weeks before they are due to attend, inviting them to contact our patient appointment centre to agree a mutually convenient date and time for their appointment.

There is no change to the system of booking urgent follow ups – for example within six weeks – these will still be made on the day of request.

This new system has already been piloted on Cardiology and Neurology clinics and since its introduction these areas have seen a reduction in re-scheduled, cancelled and missed appointments.

Sarah has already met with the Scarborough branch of LINKs to talk about the upcoming changes and in order to support the new system the Trust has strengthened its patient appointment centre team.

In order to implement the new system there is a requirement to cancel the majority of follow up appointments that are currently booked after 1 April 2012. All patients who have appointments cancelled will receive a letter detailing this within the next month. Four weeks before the follow up appointment is due patients will receive a letter inviting them to ring the call centre to agree a mutually convenient appointment.

Patients should not worry that this cancellation means their appointment will be delayed, it is simply a requirement to make the transition to the new system.

Sarah continued:"Patients will experience some disruption over the next couple of months whilst the hospital prepares itself for the launch of the new process.

"We greatly appreciate the support of patients whilst we undertake this essential exercise to improve the administration processes at Scarborough, Bridlington, Malton and Whitby Hospitals.

"This is an exciting development for Scarborough and North East Yorkshire Healthcare NHS Trust and we aim to continue to make improvements to current systems which will in turn improve the patient experience."

All patients that are affected will receive notification through the post; patients are not required to ring the hospital at this time.

 

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Todd Miller is Yorkshire Coast Hospital Radio's patron

Todd Miller, leader of the one of Britain’s best-known and acclaimed dance bands has become Yorkshire Coast Hospital Radio's patron. Peter Astell, the radio station's secretary said, “YHCR is delighted that Todd agreed to this invitation. Todd Miller, through the long-standing association with the Joe Loss Orchestra knows Bridlington well." Todd told Peter that the Bridlington Spa Royal Hall was one of the Orchestra’s favourite venues. Peter scooped this honour after an exclusive interview with Todd when his Orchestra played at the Bridlington Spa Royal Hall.

The Todd Miller Orchestra is Britain's longest running live entertainment unit. This year is the 80th Anniversary of its founding by the legendary Joe Loss. For sixty years, the Joe Loss Orchestra was at the top of the Big Band World. Joe Loss mentored and guided Todd for 18 years before he assumed Joe’s mantle as orchestra leader in 1990. Todd first joined the Joe Loss Orchestra as a vocalist.

Visit Todd's website here.

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parking at hospital sites  

In order to improve the safety of its hospital sites, Scarborough and North East Yorkshire Healthcare NHS Trust is introducing car park management. Penalty charges will be £60, or £30 if paid within 14 days, and will be administered by an external company.

However, there are concessions

Car Parking concessions are available to patients visiting the hospital for treatment three or more times a week. Free parking is also available to visitors if they have a relative in hospital for more than five days. For further information ask at the Main Reception, speak to a member of ward staff or contact PALS on 01723 342434.  

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About the GP Access Centre at Bridlington

There is a GP access centre at Bridlington Hospital, Entrance A, operating seven days a week from 8am to 8pm. Any member of the public can see a doctor or nurse at the new practice or phone and book an appointment beforehand. The extended opening hours give greater choice of appointment times in the evening and over the weekend, including bank holidays.

You do not need to be registered with the practice. You can use the services offered at the practice as well as the services at your own GP surgery.

The GP access centre is run by Bridlington Healthcare NHS Collaborative, a new joint arrangement between NHS East Riding of Yorkshire Community Services and four of Bridlington’s GP practices - Dr Meldrum and Partners, Dr MacNab and Partners, Dr Farley and Partners and Dr Harris and Partners.

Medical services offered by the existing GP practices within Bridlington stay the same, with the new GP access centre providing other NHS services.

The centre offers patients the full range of services delivered by standard GP practices plus extra services including substance misuse. Obesity services will be available. Contact the GP access centre on 01262 423464.